Zoonosis – Can I get sick from my pet?
Animals do so much good that it
is hard to believe anything bad can come from them. However, we need to be
aware that we can contract some diseases from them and they can get diseases
from us.
While most pet owners are
clear about the immediate joys that come with sharing their lives with
companion animals, many remain unaware of the physical and mental health benefits that can also accompany the pleasure of playing with or snuggling up
to a furry friend. But the bigger issue
is that far too many owners, and their families, are oblivious to both common
and uncommon diseases and parasites that can be spread from the four legged
family members to the human ones. A zoonotic disease is a disease that can be transferred from animals to humans.
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| Licking is just one way your pet may spread a zoonotic disease to you. |
Some people are more likely than others to get diseases
from pets. A person's age and health status may affect his or her immune
system, increasing the chances of getting sick. People who are more likely to
get diseases from our animals include infants, children younger than 5 years
old, organ transplant patients, people with HIV/AIDS, and people being treated
for cancer. Special advice is available for people who are at greater risk than
others of getting diseases from animals.
Dogs and cats can carry a variety of germs that can
make people sick. Some of these germs are common and some are rare. For
example, puppies may pass the bacterium Campylobacter in their feces
(stool). This germ can cause diarrhea in people. Puppies and some adult dogs
often carry a variety of parasites that can cause rashes or illness in
people. Less often, dogs in urban or rural areas can carry the
bacterium Leptospira. This germ causes the disease leptospirosis in
people and animals. Some cat-related diseases that make people sick are common,
such as cat scratch disease (or cat scratch fever), and others such as plague,
are rare. Toxoplasmosis is a disease that can come from cats, but people are
more likely to get it from eating raw meat or from gardening.
Dogs and cats can also carry rabies, a deadly viral
disease. Rabies from dogs is rare in the United States, but we are see
increasing reports of rabies in cats, both feral and even some owned cats. Check out this previous blog post about rabies for more information!
Probably the most common zoonotic diseases that dogs
and cats can pass to any person is infection with either hookworms or roundworms. These intestinal parasites are found in
almost every puppy and kitten and during stressful periods in their lives. Dogs
and cats can shed hundreds of thousands of microscopic eggs into the
environment from these parasites. Once in the grass, the
sandbox, or even on the beach, these parasite eggs hatch into larva, ready to
infect another warm-blooded animal.
Children are very susceptible to infection, as we all know that they
rarely wash their hands after play. Sun-worshipping beach lovers may find
themselves the target of hookworm larva who can actually penetrate skin and
cause a serious, intensely itchy skin condition. Roundworm larva can cause vision problems, or
even blindness. Check out the CDC's information on hookworms and roundworms.
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| Hookworm egg |
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| Roundworm eggs |
If you are a “fan of feathers”, you should be aware of a few things as well. For example, baby chicks and ducklings often carry the bacterium Salmonella. This germ causes salmonellosis in people. Parakeets and parrots can carry the bacterium Chlamydia psittaci. This germ causes the disease psittacosis. Pigeon droppings can have germs that make people sick.
Like birds, reptiles and amphibians that are commonly
kept as pets also harbor the Salmonella
bacterium, and they can carry the bacteria without any symptoms of disease.
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| Red-eared slider, a common pet turtle. |
It’s important to remember that although dogs, cats
and other animals can pass germs to people, you are not likely to contract
anything from touching or owning pets. To best protect yourself from getting
sick, thoroughly wash your hands with running water and soap after contact with animals, their saliva, or feces (stool). Teach younger children the importance of
washing up after playing with their pets or out in the yard where the pets also
roam.
Don’t feed or promote the feeding of wildlife. Many
wild animals, like raccoons, coyotes and foxes, are adapting to a more urban
environment and an easy food source will encourage the wildlife to return. These animals often carry parasites and
bacteria or viruses that can infect your pets or your family.
Finally, maintain a good relationship with your family
veterinarian. Routine physical
examinations (we recommend twice a year)
and regular fecal sample checks (again, at least 2x per year) can help ensure
that your pets are NOT harboring potentially dangerous germs. Remember, here at Noah's we are the best friend of your best friend!
